APA Solar Racking is launching a new line of ground screws and secured an exclusive U.S. distribution agreement with one of the world’s leading ground screw manufacturers to fulfill solar projects of all sizes. The APA Ground Screws are available with APA racking or can be fitted with other ground mount and tracker systems. The ground screws are designed to APA’s in-house engineering specs and backed by APA’s quality guarantee. Customers will work directly with APA for all orders, and APA will manage the entire process for in-house application testing, loading engineering, volume ordering and inventory.

You can check them out in person at Solar Power International, booth 804.

Ground screw sizes

Ground screws are the ideal foundation for rocky, hard pan, and caliche soils. The APA Ground Screws are available with standard depths of 40, 61, 73 and 85 inches to accommodate frost depths around the country. APA’s standard screw diameter is 2.35″ for better drivability, lower cost point compared to a 3”screw. Additional diameters up to 4.5″ are available. APA’s ground screws are designed with the highest quality standards and backed by APA’s guarantee. The Superior quality features heavy wall tube, welded connections, hot dipped galvanized coating, and a forged tip. These features allow massive amounts of torque and down pressure to be applied, penetrating the toughest soils.

The APA Ground Screw perfect for all APA racking systems and can easily be outfitted for other racking systems using either the set screw or flange connection. The ground screws are easy to install with a skid loader or mini excavator with an auger attachment or a pile driving rig with a rotary head.

-- Solar Builder magazine

Sunflare is a light, thin, rugged solar system that is changing the residential solar roof concept and ready to do the same for parking structures. Sunflare modules are lighter than silicon, so they can go where other solar can’t. That means there’s no need for heavy steel replacement, which is required with traditional solar. This also means there’s no dusty structure demolition and removal. The net result is minimal disruption or displacement of tenants, customers, and employees.

The additional benefit of not having to construct a new parking structure is that there’s no potential hassle with new code compliance—which sometimes requires changes to parking lots—an additional project that can be disruptive, time consuming and costly in and of itself.

Look for the solar parking retrofit presentation at Solar Power International booth 2482.

Unlike traditional solar panels that are covered in glass, Sunflare modules are more rugged because the Sun2 cells are encapsulated between durable polymer sheets. So often you see mangled car port roofs where high profile trucks misjudge the height and crush the frame. If that happens with silicon panels on the carport, the accident is likely to damage the solar panel as well. With Sunflare, the panel will flex as the roof is bent. The damage is limited to the structure and not the energy system.

In addition, Sunflare modules have bypass diodes at every cell. When trees or other structures shade areas of a parking cover, only the cell that is shaded becomes inactive. The remainder of the panel continues to generate power.

Installation is fast and easy. With Sunflare’s mechanical attachments, modules can be added on any structure with no time wasted with racking or cumbersome staging. Installation is quick, and secure. Sunflare modules do not require chemical adhesion. That means Sunflare works on any profile of metal or any other material.

Sunflare modules have a 25-year linear production, 25-year workmanship warranty.

-- Solar Builder magazine

Esdec, a leading European solar rooftop mounting solutions provider, is making its debut in the U.S. market this week at SPI (Booth 378). With more than 1.8 GW of installed capacity and leading market share in several European countries, the company brings 14 years of solar mounting and racking innovation and experience to the U.S. solar community.

Esdec’s initial U.S. product offering is the FlatFix system, a lightweight, clickable solar mounting system for flat roofs. Featuring a 20-year warranty and UL certification, FlatFix’s innovative design enables rapid assembly, allowing commercial installers to significantly reduce installation times compared to other systems in the market.

Esdec’s Atlanta-based U.S. subsidiary will be led by Bart Leusink, a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of management and executive experience. Bart has significant experience in and familiarity with the U.S. solar market, having served for seven years as president and CEO of Renusol America.

The FlatFix system

FlatFix’s racking components, including bonding straps, are assembled by snapping into a locked position without the need for tools. The rails click together easily and quickly to form an interconnected, solid structure. Complete module installation requires just one tool and minimal parts, while power optimizers can be attached via snap-on clips in a matter of seconds.

Using self-levelling baseplates, FlatFix is available with ballasted and hybrid attachment options. The flexible system can be oriented in a traditional south-facing direction or in a dual-tilt orientation. FlatFix’s materials and design compensate for thermal effects, reducing potential heat-induced degradation of the PV modules and protecting the integrity of the roof.

Esdec is also introducing its ClickFit product to the U.S. market. A lightweight, fully adjustable rail-based racking system, ClickFit can be used on various types of pitched residential and commercial roofs. FlatFix and ClickFit are both UL-certified Class A fire-rated, having achieved top-of-class fire mitigation for Type 1 and 2 PV modules.

-- Solar Builder magazine

Led by national engineering, procurement and construction firm EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions, this 18.1 MW dc facility, known as the Annapolis Renewable Energy Park, is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland and is the largest solar project on a closed landfill in the state. The project is owned by a subsidiary of Building Energy, was developed by BQ Energy, a company specializing in landfill and brownfield renewable energy projects, and used Solar FlexRack racking to complete the job.

The Annapolis Renewable Energy Park is remarkable for its size and complexity. The enormous facility spans 80 acres and was completed in mid-2018. The solar energy park will generate enough clean energy to power more than 12 percent of the city’s homes annually. In addition to gaining the reassurance of fixed, lower-cost clean energy for its clients and partners, the city is estimated to receive more than $250,000 annually by leasing the property to Building Energy.

Building a renewable energy project on top of a capped landfill is an intricate project, and the expertise of racking provider Solar FlexRack proved invaluable for EDF Renewables. Unable to drill piles into the landfill’s protective membrane cap, Solar FlexRack utilized B3P-X pre-cast fixed tilt racking foundations for the more than 54,000 solar panels.

“Solar FlexRack’s expertise in this important niche market makes the company a perfect partner for landfill projects,” said Jamie Resor, CEO, EDF Renewables Distributed Solutions. “We are pleased to work with a firm that can provide the precise, high-quality product required to execute our vision for the Annapolis Renewable Energy Park.”

“EDF Renewables’ deep experience and technical capabilities make them an extraordinary leader in the field,” continued Steve Daniel, Executive Vice President of Solar FlexRack. “It was a pleasure to collaborate with them on the park, and we look forward to the next partnership opportunity.”

Solar FlexRack offers ballasted solar racking solutions for sites challenged with penetration, weight and other regulatory restrictions. The selection and quality of their products provide a wider choice for solar project engineers to design optimal performance into their solar systems.

-- Solar Builder magazine

SnapNrack debuted its new Ultra Rail System at Solar Power International this year, a lightweight rail solution for mounting solar modules on the roof. Ultra Rail, a lighter rail profile, is a more economical solution for projects in more average load conditions, especially when attachment spacing is already dictated by the existing roof structure and more mounts are needed to disperse the weight of the system.

SnapNrack believes when compared to a railless system, Ultra Rail is a more cost effective solution for customers installing on a mix of roof surfaces rather than one roof type for every install. The entire system is a snap to install utilizing new Ultra Rail Mounts that include snap-in brackets for attaching rail. The spring-loaded roof mounts provide superb full rail leveling capabilities and all components come pre-assembled for a unique install experience and easy tightening.

SnapNrack’s wire management solutions are still compatible with the Ultra Rail System which features a large top rail channel providing ample room for wires and cables. Furthermore, the system is compatible with all existing module clamps and maintains the same intuitive install experience.

-- Solar Builder magazine

The use of augers and ground screws has been of interest in mounting solar systems for some time, and for the right size job, they offer smaller solar contractors an opportunity to grow their business.

Small site factors

For one, with smaller PV systems, one may not need to spend money on a soil engineering analysis and the cost to permit the design separately. The typical soil type in an area may be known from experience. Perhaps local experience with other construction such as a home foundation or a water line installation can provide clues to the soil type.

A method used by some contractors is to use a hammer drill and ground rod available from an electric supply store and see how easily the rod can be driven into the earth. If the rod hits solid rock 6 inches below the surface, or if the rod is very hard to drive, this could either disqualify the use of ground driven foundations, or in some cases lead to using ground screws rather than augers.

Additionally, many counties and states have published maps showing the soil types for many locations. Other sources of data are well sites where there is often a record by the foot of the surface to depths much greater than one would drive a ground-mount.

Selecting a ground-mount

Once a determination has been made as to the type of soil at a site, the installer should select a ground mount to use at a site. If the soil type is not heavily compacted and not rocky, one can consider the use of augers. Most typically, a ground auger driven 7 to 10 ft. will suffice for most 3- and 4-row landscape arrays.

If the ground is compacted, made up of heavy clay, or has small rocks within the first 10 ft., then a ground screw would probably be a better choice. Ground screws offer lower torque when driving them into the soil and are less likely to break in harder ground. However, in soft, loamy soils a ground screw will not provide big pullout values compared to an auger.

If the ground is too rocky, other options such as post and concrete, ballasted arrays, or rock anchors may be a better alternative. Experience with ground arrays will greatly help in the selection of a ground mounting system.

Driving ground mounts

Some form of tractor or track machine is required to drive ground-driven foundations. These machines are easy to rent and use, and depending on the volume you are doing, worth owning. Small arrays with only 8 or 12 posts are probably not worth the investment, but between that and larger arrays that require a specialized company to drive the mounts, there is a sweet spot that makes financial sense.

The machine used will need some form of rotary head such as the small Bobcats used to dig holes for pole buildings and fence posts. Alternately, some farm tractors have a rear-mounted rotary

driver used for fence posts that may be used.
Most equipment rental yards can supply a small track machine normally used with a hole-digging auger. With the hole-digging auger removed, an adaptor can be used to mate the drive head to fit augers and ground screws. A 2 in. hex adaptor that fits the machine can be purchased by the installer if not available from the equipment rental yard with the machine.

The amount of torque required to drive a ground mount should not be more than a nominal 3,000 lbs. If more torque is required, or if the mounts are breaking, than the wrong mount was selected. If augers break, a ground screw should have been used. If ground screws break, then a non-driven mount should be used.

If occasionally a mount breaks due to an undetected boulder or other issue, a traditional post and concrete mounting should be used. In the case of Groundwater, a 50-kW project in Portland, Ore., where over 400 augers were used, eight anchors broke due to large sporadic rocks and were replaced with eight concrete-mounted posts.

Calculations and measurements

There are many resources available covering the use and calculations for commercial construction using augers and ground screws. These include Chance Hubble manuals, and other commercial suppliers of augers. However, there are some general guidelines one can follow summarized below.

Augers have a pitch determined by the blade angle. Our auger is a 10-to-1 auger. Using a 10-to-1 auger, each ft lb of torque driving the auger provides approximately 10 times the uplift capability when driven to 10 ft of depth. For example, if an auger is driven with 500 lbs of torque to 10 ft. the pullout will be approximately 5,000 pounds. Typically, augers are driven much harder, resulting in tested pullup values of 20,000 to 30,000 lbs. Most often, augers driven in reasonable soil values will dramatically exceed the pullout values actually required to resist pullout or overturn of the array.

In the case of ground screws, they are typically applied to more dense soils and solids with rock intermixed. A ground screw should not be used in solid rock.
Ground screws in hard soils have pullout values of 1,500 to 5,000 lbs at a depth of 5 ft., however this estimate is entirely based upon the soil density. The use of ground screws in soft soils will not provide a satisfactory base for a solar array.

The use of a torque measurement gauge is recommended as an additional check on the drive torque and resulting pullout capability. Some modern machines one can rent or buy have a built-in torque gauge. Additionally, there are devices that can mount between the hydraulic head and the ground mount to measure the torque. However, a careful operator will have some sense of the amount of effort required to drive the ground mounts, and in most cases can successfully install and drive ground arrays without a torque head.

Cliff Schrock is an engineering consultant with SunModo.

On the Scene

Ready to rack

AP Alternatives’ Ready Rack mounting hardware is designed for both large utility-scale projects and small commercial projects. The small helical anchors and quick-install cross bracing make the simple system robust even for high wind zones. The mini-tilt brackets are adjustable and allow for quick field alignment of the post height. This allows the anchor posts to be installed rapidly and any terrain variation can be accounted for by simply adjusting the tilt bracket up or down to achieve the best aesthetics on an ungraded site. This system is nimbly installed with an attachment that fits on a skid steer.

-- Solar Builder magazine

Allied Solar Products, a Beacon Roofing Supply company and one of the nation’s largest distributors of photovoltaic panels, inverters, mounting hardware and solar accessories—has partnered with CertainTeed to expand the distribution of its Solstice Solar System.

Dave Jenkins, national vice president of solar for Allied Solar Products, noted his parent company’s long-standing relationship with CertainTeed’s building products divisions and said extending the relationship to its solar division “builds on our roofing and solar opportunities” and is “a win for both companies and their contractor customers.

“Allied Solar always looks for ways to improve its supply chains so we can deliver popular products to as many customers as possible as quickly as possible,” said Jenkins. “The move allows us to leverage our logistics, just-in-time delivery, and dedicated solar sales teams to deliver Solstice. With one of the best warranties in the industry, this solution translates into value and peace of mind for installers and their customers.”

CertainTeed’s Solstice system combines high-quality components including modules, inverters, mounting and flashing with a single-source warranty. In addition, when installed by one of CertainTeed’s Credentialed or Master Solar Installers, CertainTeed warrants the installation workmanship on the system for up to 25 years. Considered CertainTeed’s most economical solar solution, Solstice systems are designed to maximize roof space and can be configured to best suit the needs of the client.

-- Solar Builder magazine

The following post is from APA Racking’s Solar Solutions blog series.

As timelines get delayed and projects overlap each other, project managers can quickly get overloaded by juggling multiple projects at once. Hiring more skilled project managers isn’t as easy as it seems with this skill set in high demand and a severe shortage of qualified individuals. Even with the best project control systems in place and utilizing dashboards, key performance indicators, and critical callout’s, the sheer time it takes to manage such systems can be daunting.

APA has seen more and more companies move toward a turnkey solution. By bringing the manufacturing and installation process under one roof, project managers can breathe a little easier. The turnkey delivery consolidates multiple contracts into a single point of accountability. The result should be certainty of schedule and cost, reduced contract execution time, minimizing change orders, faster decisions, and the ability to communicate with one individual for all things project related. About 80% of APA’s projects are turnkey, and even with material only sales, a project manager is assigned to every project to ensure a smooth process.

RELATED: When augers, ground screws make economic sense for solar contractors

APA is first and foremost a racking manufacturer, but has evolved into a full mechanical turnkey installation partner with many customers. APA works with the customer in the actual design of the project and can mitigate any construction related problems before breaking ground. Changes on paper are certainly easier and more cost-effective than after the installation has begun.

APA’s years as an installation partner provides insight that designers may not have. Issues such as working around underground utilities, topography adjustments, and variations in soil types can be addressed swiftly and creatively. Many times, APA can recommend using multiple foundations on a site to accommodate various soil types and manage costs.

For example, a proposal may include a helical foundation for 60% of the site and a ground screw for the remaining 40% due to areas with rock. The cost savings can be significant versus a 100% ground screw solution.

For the project manager, a mechanical turnkey solution means managing less subcontracts and more time for critical decisions at the highest level without being inundated with minute details. Real time project updates are sent daily and represent the entire project scope with design, manufacturing and installation.

-- Solar Builder magazine

Soltec is testing for all bifacial tracking variables at its new evaluation center in Livermore, Calif.

We are on the verge of the bifacial solar tracker era. Projects are being quoted with many starting to break ground later this year and early 2019.

Only two issues remain in the way of serious wide-spread adoption. First is the price of bifacial modules, which sits at about 30 cents a watt on average right now. The premium price makes sense because the market hasn’t formed yet, and it won’t form until there are bankable production estimates for the technology. That would be issue No. 2: the data set for bifacial tracker performance is incomplete, but this is about to change in a hurry.

Several big-time partnerships between tracker companies, module companies and PV research and testing labs have formed within the last year to understand this new bifacial module + PV tracker paradigm, test theories and build a complete data set on bifacial tracker production.

“This is a fundamentally different paradigm than before because the tracker and module are all intertwined with the site conditions in a way they weren’t before,” says Ron Corio, founder and CIO of Array Technologies.

Multiple approaches

The splashiest of these partnerships is Spain-based single-axis tracking supplier Soltec teaming with the National Renewable Energy Labs (NREL), Black and Veatch and RETC to build BiTEC, the world’s first evaluation center specialized in bifacial trackers, in Livermore, Calif. We visited the facility in July, and the site has a variety of configurations structured to isolate and measure any site or system design effect, such as:

• Albedo
• Terrain surface
• Types of bifacial technology (from Hanwha-QCells, Jinko, Canadian Solar, LG and more)
• GCR
• Pitch
• String design
• 2x modules in portrait versus 1x.

One variable not changed throughout the field is tracker height, with all 2x configurations standing at 7.71 ft (with 1x configuration trackers at a height of 4.43 ft). The reason is Soltec’s preliminary electric performance measures over bifacial modules reveal a short-circuit current difference of over 2.3 percent between 1x and 2x trackers, meaning that height has a significant influence over the energy output of bifacial panels. The capture of diffuse irradiance below and around the tracker is increased with height, while the shadow cast on the ground is softened.

Array Technologies is taking a different approach. Also working with a U.S. national laboratory, Array is mapping the backside irradiance at a half cell resolution as well as testing various configurations at string level. Array’s testing is focused primarily on the module tracker interaction, varying module mounting techniques as well as testing module design variance. An important objective of this testing is to validate ray tracing simulation programs which will aid in the accurate modeling of bifacial performance in site-specific applications.

“We are working closely with the module manufacturers in a way we’ve never done before for exactly that reason,” Corio says. “When you design the module and the tracker as one system, you get a better result.”

In a comparative one year test, conducted in 2017, Array saw a 9 to 10 percent yearly gain for bifacial over monofacial at the same test site.

Array Technologies already sees a 9 to 10 percent gain in bifacial tracking performance.

The difference in Soltec and Array’s testing approaches is in line with the difference in their tracking approaches — Soltec uses distributed tracker rows and Array supplys centralized drive. All of the performance gains reported will need to be considered within the already established LCOE of each tracker design.

Example: The torque tube impact is an early point of differentiation depending on who you ask. The Soltec testing team has seen the shadow from the torque tube in a 1x configuration hurting irradiance harvest in a way it does not when positioned in a 2x configuration, so its SF7 tracker includes an intentional gap between modules at the torque tube location that avoids shadowing on the backside of the module. Preliminary measurements have shown that up to 38 percent of reflected light does not reach the center of the bifacial modules compared to the edge due to the torque tube shadow of the 1x configuration. Array is quantifying the impact of the torque tube to harvestable rear side irradiance and testing modules with design characteristics that may use the torque tube as a performance advantage. All of Array’s test data will be compiled in an LCOE comparison.

The difference in testing isn’t really the point. The Lawrence Berkley National Lab noted during the Market Trends panel at Intersolar that the cost premium associated with tracker projects is all but gone with 79 percent of newly installed capacity being trackers. When all of this testing is done, the choice will still be the same centralized or distributed tracker decision its always been, just with these new bifacial performance gains to plug into the equation.

-- Solar Builder magazine

Esdec, a leading European solar rooftop mounting solutions provider (we profiled their new U.S.-focused commercial system here), announced today that it has acquired EcoFasten Solar, a manufacturer of water-tight solar roof mounts and components for the U.S. residential and commercial sectors. The combination of Esdec and EcoFasten Solar creates a major solar rooftop mounting player with 5 GW installed worldwide.

Esdec and EcoFasten Solar are both known for their quick-to-install, reliable mounting systems. EcoFasten Solar’s patented rail-less racking and mounting for multiple roof types have supported over 3 GW of U.S. installations, with the company projected to supply just under 500 MW in 2018. Esdec, the Netherlands’ largest mounting manufacturer with 1.9 GW of its systems installed across Europe, has seen increasing adoption of its FlatFix commercial flat-roof offering, fueling the company’s expansion into the U.S. market earlier this year.

“Esdec and EcoFasten Solar are a perfect fit,” said Stijn Vos, global CEO of Esdec. “Both companies have proven track records in launching differentiated products that serve the needs of installers and support them in their daily business. By combining these two customer-oriented forces, we are providing installers, distributors and the market with a very compelling, diversified product offering for both pitched and flat roof projects.”

EcoFasten Solar founder and roofing expert Brian Stearns started his Phoenix-based company to bridge the gap between solar array designers and the people who install those systems. Stearns will be instrumental in product development and utilizing the combined R&D resources of both companies to deliver even more efficient and reliable residential systems for the U.S. market.

“Esdec and EcoFasten Solar are cut from the same cloth,” he said. “We each have roots as roofers and solar installers and listen carefully to our customers’ needs, and we also share a relentless drive for innovation. I’m looking forward to helping the Esdec and EcoFasten brands reach the next level together, while focusing on what I love to do most¾working closely with the installer community, developing new products, and bringing them quickly to the market.”

Esdec successfully launched its U.S. subsidiary at the Solar Power International trade show earlier this year and is ramping up operations from its Atlanta headquarters. In addition to the EcoFasten Solar line, Esdec’s U.S. product offerings include the FlatFix system, a lightweight, clickable solar mounting system for flat commercial and industrial roofs. Esdec also recently celebrated the opening of its new Innovation Centre in the Netherlands, where the staff will work closely with the EcoFasten Solar team to fast-track the research, development and commercialization of new racking and mounting products for the U.S. and European markets.

-- Solar Builder magazine

The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) has partnered with ForeFront Power to develop a 2-MW solar parking canopy structure plus energy storage system that will provide clean, reliable electricity to the campus over a 20-year term. UCSC procured renewable energy with ForeFront Power through a streamlined procurement process via School Project for Utility Rate Reduction (SPURR). By utilizing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) framework with no upfront cost through ForeFront Power and SPURR, the University will benefit from $6 million in electricity savings during the project term.

“We considered a number of options and the partnership for this project was determined to be the most expedient and the best and the cleanest solution,” said Traci Ferdolage, Associate Vice Chancellor of UCSC. “ForeFront Power and SPURR have been very responsive and supportive of the University’s renewable goals.”

The solar parking canopy project will contribute to the University’s Campus Sustainability Plan, which includes the goal of installing 4 MW of solar photovoltaic technology on the main campus. Moreover, this project is part of the campus’ strategy to meet the UC’s Carbon Neutrality Initiative, and partnerships like this project, will be a key component to meet this 2025 goal.1 Over 3 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity from the project will result in more than 2,500 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent avoided from the grid.

In addition to the benefits of on-site solar energy, the project will include 1.2 MW of energy storage to reduce peak demand and shift load to times of day when electricity is cheaper. The intelligent use of energy from the storage units combined with on-site solar energy generation helps maximize clean energy generation and enhance on-site sustainability.

“The inclusion of energy storage increases the value of the on-site solar project to the University,” said Go Mizoguchi, Co-CEO of ForeFront Power. “The University is able to save even more money while incurring no upfront cost.”

Since 2015, the SPURR Renewable Energy Aggregated Procurement (REAP) program and the ForeFront Power team have helped over 20 school districts, colleges, and municipalities procure more than 50 MW of clean solar power across more than 100 sites.

“It is exciting to see our program extended to the UC System at Santa Cruz so that more public organizations can benefit from the saved time, effort, and money by using our procurement process,” said Michael Rochman, Managing Director of SPURR. “SPURR strives to offer clear, fair, and competitively-sourced terms and conditions that allow for easy sourcing.”

ForeFront Power will be working with local Santa Cruz based companies to complete the installation. Together, ForeFront Power and UC Santa Cruz will engage in a phased construction approach to minimize impact on students and faculty. Engineers have already begun working closely with UCSC staff to ensure a safe connection to a complex campus grid that includes a natural gas fueled cogeneration plant.

The schools will also receive free post-secondary level lesson plans from Schools Power, a leading national education organization that provides schools and colleges with standards-based renewable energy curriculum packages. ForeFront Power and Schools Power announced their partnership in July 2017.

-- Solar Builder magazine

Green energy sources like solar are the best energy solutions for the planet, but they also aren’t perfect. Example: At the largest conference in the U.S. dedicated to green building, Mighty Earth released a new report pointing out the enormous carbon footprint of steel used in green construction. The global steel industry emits 2.3 gigatons of carbon dioxide each year – equivalent to the emissions from 569 coal plants.

The report shows that the industry could easily take action to mitigate its climate impact: if all steel manufacturers sourced electricity for their electric arc furnaces from clean energy sources, they would reduce the carbon footprint of those facilities by 44 percent.

“We’re releasing this report at Greenbuild to show that even the greenest buildings are using steel produced with dirty electricity,” said Margaret Hansbrough, Mighty Earth Campaign Director. “We can no longer ignore the tremendous amount of energy used in the steel manufacturing and recycling process – and how that electricity is being generated. It’s time to take these emissions into account and for builders to address the impact on our climate.”

The report, Construction Destruction: The Hidden Carbon Costs of Dirty Steel, calls on construction industry behemoths Skanska, Turner Construction, Clark Construction and AECOM to commit to only source steel from manufacturers that have switched to clean energy for all grid-sourced electricity.

As buildings have become increasingly efficient in operation and design, fewer emissions are coming from their operational footprint and the industry is shifting some focus to decrease the embodied carbon of steel and other building materials used in construction. Skanska, Turner Construction, Clark Construction and AECOM are some of the most influential players within the green building industry, but these companies have yet to commit to only buying materials with the lowest possible global warming potential. Skanska is considered the greenest of the group and has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

“Each year, the embodied carbon of all building materials accounts for 11 percent of global emissions and 28 percent of global building sector emissions,” said Hansbrough. “As buildings emit less day-to-day, their embodied carbon will take up an even greater proportion of their climate pollution. As the largest steel consumer, construction companies must ask their steel suppliers to commit to clean electricity and take other steps to dramatically reduce their emissions.”

Mighty Earth’s first report on the steel industry, Cold Steel, Hot Climate: The World’s Biggest Untapped Clean Energy Opportunity, called upon the entire steel industry to shift toward carbon neutrality, identifying Nucor Corporation as the best-positioned steel company to switch to 100 percent clean energy for its electricity.

Globally, the construction industry accounts for more than 50 percent of all steel produced. Nucor is the largest steel producer in the United States and calls itself “America’s largest recycler,” controlling approximately 29 percent of the U.S. steel market. The production method (Electric Arc Furnace or EAF) used by the company consumes massive amounts of electricity. Mighty Earth sees an opportunity for Nucor to transition to clean energy in the 25 states where it operates and is calling on major purchasers of Nucor steel in the construction industry to push the company to address the embodied carbon of its steel. However, Nucor has not yet made a commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions or to transition its electricity consumption to clean energy.

“The steel sector is America’s biggest clean energy opportunity,” said Glenn Hurowitz. “But instead, its largest company, Nucor, is not only denying climate science but allowing a golden opportunity to pass it by.”

In nearly every state where Nucor operates, there are clean energy procurement options available. Companies like GM, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and more than 100 others have already committed to sourcing 100 percent clean energy and are accelerating the greening of the grid.

-- Solar Builder magazine

Wanting to offset the plant’s electrical usage, and still show a return on investment, McElroy Metal chose a solar solution system for its plant. A solar addition is old hat for McElroy, as they previously re-roofed their Peachtree City, Ga., standing seam roof facility with 1,960 solar panels. The amount of energy generated through these panels is above what the plant consumes. In addition, McElroy expects to see a return on this solar investment within just three years.

Clamp selection

It doesn’t make much sense to install a solar array on something that will fail long before the solar plant does. So, a roof inspection was performed prior to installation to ensure it was corrosion-free and suitable to outlast the service life of the solar. Being in the desert (Adelanto is less than 100 miles from Los Angeles) certainly helped. It then became a matter of selecting the right structurally-sound attachment solution that would not only handle harsh sun elements but would also preserve a durable panel connection.

For McElroy, it was all about function.

“Being a roofing manufacturer, we are obviously concerned about the overall roof performance for the long-term,” said Ken Gieseke, Vice President of Marketing at McElroy. “And as a long-time convert to S-5! products, it was, for us, the obvious, and frankly only, solar attachment solution to consider.”

In Adelanto, the project called for 646 solar modules to be added to McElroy Metal’s manufacturing facility. To ensure secure attachment, the aluminum RibBracket IV was selected. Compatible with most metal roofing materials, this economical bracket also fits a number of trapezoidal roof profiles too.

RELATED: Clamps of Approval: Here’s what to look for when selecting PV clamps

McElroy saved time on installation too. The slotted top hole on the bracket, which accommodates the S-5-PV Kit, simplifies alignment and maximizes flexibility in attaching ancillaries. The RibBracket IV also comes with a factory-applied EPDM rubber gasket seal on the base. And even though moisture might not be a concern, the heat, wind, and parched conditions wreak havoc on metal, sealants, and screws. To help combat this, the reservoir on the bracket conceals the EPDM from UV exposure, preventing drying and cracks.

McElroy says it plans to explore more solar mounting opportunities for its other facilities. It was a grand undertaking to invest in and complete such a massive solar panel installation strictly for one’s own company. McElroy hopes such a project can “serve as a showcase for those interested in the use of solar panels with metal roofing.”

-- Solar Builder magazine

SolaTrim is a lightweight aluminum skirt that is attached with a 3M VHB 5952 peel and stick adhesive.

Installing a protective barrier or skirt with a rooftop solar system should no longer be considered an add-on or upgrade but rather an integral part of the design. The argument why is self-explanatory once you play out the scenario. So, let’s play it out.

A protective barrier provides pest protection.

This is the most common consideration for a barrier’s utility as part of a PV system, so let’s start here. In the Northeast, squirrels can literally eat solar profits. If you are selling PV systems, it is negligent to not install a protective barrier, otherwise you’ve left the door open to an endless buffet.

“Initially in Northern California we had issues with pigeons,” says Bob Smith, president of SolaTrim LLC, describing his previous experience as a solar construction manager. “We would get calls from customers after a job was completed who would say ‘I can see underneath it, and there are birds under there. I can’t believe you’d leave it like that.’ It wasn’t an overwhelming rate, but enough — maybe 10 percent — that caused us to look at the problem and ask ourselves what can be done.”

Eliminating pest issues reduces O&M costs.

You could price the system a bit higher with the protection included and increase your margin, but the real bottom line benefit comes from slashing operation and maintenance (O&M) costs. Preventing system damage from pest intrusion means O&M calls will be related to component issues, which can be more accurately factored into the cost of doing business. For example, if you budget $2,400 as an average cost per call per system each year, even if 5 to 10 percent of those calls are prevented, the savings are significant.

Protective skirt manufacturer SolaTrim LLC devised a spreadsheet algorithm to calculate the potential for avoided costs. Its estimates say an installer doing 5,000 systems a year could save up to 20 cents per watt, which scales down to 5 to 7 cents per watt for an installer only doing a dozen or so systems per month.

SUNation Solar, the largest solar company in Long Island, N.Y., believes so much in the O&M value that it not only includes SolaTrim on every system it installs, but also purchased the O&M contracts for an additional 3,000 systems, knowing the ROI they could get from this simple upgrade. SUNation is currently petitioning its regional building department to make this a mandatory part of a rooftop solar installation — a change the Canadian Electrical Code introduced in 2016.

Better system aesthetics improves customer satisfaction.

Customers don’t always understand the value of the inverter selected or the quality of the mounting and racking systems, but they will surely judge whether something looks shoddy.

“Presenting a better looking system will improve reliability and offer something competitors don’t, which will increase your quoting percentage,” Smith says.

This one is a little more dependent on the solution you choose. If you are mitigating pest intrusion by rigging up bird mesh or chicken wire, you might be solving the pest problem at the expense of aesthetics. This method for installation is a bit labor intensive too, often involving screws or attachment on the underside of the array (some modules might actually not allow this). A newer solution built just for the solar industry should avoid those issues.

For example, SolaTrim is a lightweight piece of aluminum that is attached with a 3M VHB 5952 peel and stick adhesive — a proven long-term adhesion method used in commercial operations and construction. Within 24 hours, a lasting bond is formed that will survive any climate conditions. Available throughout North America via SolaTrim’s distributor channel, the original ST-001 is 6.75 in. wide by 48 in. long, and the new ST-055 is 5.5 in. wide.

“We played around with a lot of different adhesives, and we found this was the one that would do what we asked of it — attach to an aluminum frame and create a chemical weld to make it a long-lasting barrier,” Smith says of the 3M adhesive.

Don’t let “lasting bond” scare you from a maintenance perspective though. A chemical bond can be physically compromised by slipping a utility knife into the seam and defeating the adhesive. The barrier snaps off, allows for maintenance or replacement and then a new protective piece is applied the same way as before.

Satisfied customers mean more referrals and lower customer acquisition costs.

For a customer, a solar system’s long-term performance benefits are abstract, while a system’s aesthetics are tangible in the moment. The visceral reaction to a how a system looks is important for the all mighty positive review online after completion, which holds real value in today’s market.

Once customers are happy and people on the street see it, over time, referral rates will uptick and the cost of customer acquisition starts to tick downward.

There’s obviously no guarantee of that direct correlation between environmental protection and lower customer acquisition costs, but the risk to you versus the reward proposition given the benefits of a reliable backside module is hard to argue. At the very least, a protective barrier protects your solar company by reducing the number of factors that leave a customer dissatisfied.

Chris Crowell is the managing editor of Solar Builder.

-- Solar Builder magazine

RPCS partnered with GenPro Energy Solutions and the City of Atkinson to build a 209-kW solar array in Nebraska on a particularly challenging site. The city formerly used the Atkinson-owned site for fill, a place where soil, trees, and debris were brought then covered with dirt. This created embedment depths up to 30 feet — three times the norm — which would need longer than normal I-beams that would add significant costs for construction and material. Moreover, loose soil and debris could cause refusal of the post for a regular piledriver.

The City of Atkinson also wanted a tracked system that could provide enough energy to offset the energy consumption of their Water Treatment Plant. Through NPPD’s Buy-Sell Solar Rider, Atkinson can create long-term cash flow for the city through the production of solar energy.

Project developer GenPro Energy Solutions, which specializes in municipal solar development throughout the Midwest, brings design and custom energy solution integration expertise to the project while RPCS helped drive a creative solution to a complex engineering issue.

The solution was to use the DuraTrack HZ v3 single-axis solar tracker by Array Technologies, supplied by RPCS. Array’s mounting technology ensured up to a 20 to 25 percent increase in energy production over fixed-tilt systems. RPCS designs and installs Array tracker systems throughout the country, with hundreds of projects completed to date in the utility and distributed generation markets.

To overcome the embedment issue, the project features TerraSmart‘s ground screw foundation posts, a seamless solution to the challenging nature of the site’s subsurface conditions. TerraSmart and Array solar trackers were integrated for the first time on this project, a partnership forged with the help of RPCS. TerraSmart’s ground screws have a better ability to resist uplift than I-beams in loose soil and can drill into debris, reducing upfront construction costs and eliminating subsurface risks.

“This project is a great example of how teamwork, engineering, and innovative solutions can help overcome site challenges and result in the most efficient design for all parties involved. GenPro’s value engineering, Array’s superior grade tolerance, and TerraSmart’s unique foundation posts all allowed for a system that will maximize power production for the City of Atkinson,” says RPCS Sales Director Dylan Wraga. “There were underground challenges that TerraSmart’s solution was well suited to, and combined with Array’s reliable architecture this system will be producing clean power for many years to come.”

-- Solar Builder magazine

The Horne Brothers solar division operates more than 35 pile drivers with the Vermeer PD10 pile driver representing the majority of its fleet.

The solar division of Horne Brothers Construction is hitting its stride in today’s hot market. Based in Fayetteville, N.C., the division has expanded from around 30 employees to over 400 in just three years. The highly specialized company handles everything from driving piles and installing racking and modules to land clearing and erosion control.

“Many of the companies we work for started in the solar industry around the same time we did, and as their needs expanded, so did our services,” explains Tom Kosto, EVP of solar for Horne Brothers. “They’re working on multiple projects all over the country and by virtue, so are we.”

Keeping busy in Texas

While Horne Brothers have projects happening all over the country, Texas has been the hotbed of activity for the company over the last two years. Kosto says last summer his team was working near Sherman, Texas, constructing five new solar farms that produce approximately 75 MW. This year, Horne Brothers is working around Sherman, Greenville, Waco, Wallace, Warren and Beasley.

“We’re working our way toward Houston, and when we wrap up the last one, we’ll have completed 100 MW in 2018 in Texas alone,” Kosto adds.

The majority of the work is being done for the same customer, Cypress Creek Renewables. As one of the nation’s leading utility and community-scale solar companies, Cypress Creek Renewables has worked on more than 250 projects and has 2.3 GW of solar facilities currently deployed across the United States. The company is responsible for developing, financing, constructing and operating each of the facilities. The relationship Horne Brothers has formed with Cypress Creek Renewables has proven to be advantageous for both companies as well as the communities where each project is being located.

“Cypress Creek Renewables continues to grow, just like we do, but the number of jobs created doesn’t stop there,” Kosto says. “Each project has a need for local labor during construction, and sustainable new revenue streams are created in every community. Solar is a huge win for everyone involved.”

Equipment driving efficiency

Texas isn’t the only place that Horne Brothers has crews working. The company’s workforce is spread out across the nation, working at 30 different solar farm sites. In 2017, Horne Brothers installed 800 MW across 5,600 acres, and at presstime was on track to do more in 2018.

To get all of the work done, Horne Brothers rely on specialized teams to perform different phases of the job. A land-clearing crew is usually the first team in on most new jobs. They are responsible for clearing brush and trees. After the perimeter is cleared, the next team comes in with dozers and graders to verify the site has proper drainage and controlled erosion. Once that phase is complete, construction of the racking can begin.

“Driving the piles can be a pretty involved process,” Kosto explains. “For example, on the average 14-MW site, we’ll have to drive approximately 4,500 piles into the ground, and the spacing between each one has to be exact. Our team has it down to a science. In fact, it’s one of the fastest phases of any job.”

The Horne Brothers solar division operates more than 35 pile drivers with the Vermeer PD10 pile driver representing the majority of its fleet.

“To be efficient at this phase of the project, we prefer to have between two and six units on any given job,” Kosto says. “The Vermeer PD10’s compact design allows us to get multiple units on a trailer, which helps cut our transportation costs and saves time.”

On the jobsite, Kosto says the Vermeer pile driver’s operator controls, auto plumb and GPS integration are essential to his pile driving team’s efficiency.

“These features make it much easier for our people to get on and off a job faster and with precision when it comes to spacing the racking. In turn, that makes our racking crew’s job go more smoothly. They don’t have to worry about pile spacings being off,” he says.

The efficiencies of Horne Brothers’ pile driving team and equipment has allowed them to pick up extra jobs in the areas where they already have crews working.

“We tend to do everything on a project, except for electrical work,” Kosto says. “But there are also a lot of solar companies that hire out different contractors to perform each part on a job. We keep the Vermeer PD10 pile drivers working on those types of projects as well. We put a lot of hours on them, and they stand up well. They are also compact and lightweight compared to other pile drivers on the market, which makes a difference when transporting them and helps to minimize ground disruption on the job.”

Divide and conquer

Breaking each solar project into phases and using separate crews to complete the work has helped Horne Brothers work efficiently.

“It’s important for each team to understand every step of building a solar farm, but each crew member doesn’t need to know how to do all of the tasks involved on a project,” Kosto says. “Using multiple crews on a job allows our people to be more focused which has helped ensure we’re delivering a quality end product for customers, cost-efficiently and as quickly as possible. This approach is a big reason why we do so much repeat business with our public utility and commercial solar customers.”

Another contributing consideration for Horne Brothers overall efficiency is the equipment manufacturers that they choose to do business with, with the dealer networks being a primary factor in those decisions.

“While solar is going strong right now in Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina, there are many other states that we have crews working in, which is why it’s so important to choose equipment that has support, wherever we go,” says Kosto. “Also, since many solar farms are installed in rural areas, we need equipment partners that can support us even in more remote parts of a state. We get that from Vermeer and its dealer network. No matter where our crews are working, we know we’ll receive a high level of service and parts support.”

Predicting the future

While the present marketplace for solar energy is bright, tariffs and the phasing out of tax credits is a significant concern for the people that make their living in solar. Kosto explained Horne Brothers has experienced 40 to 50 percent growth year after year for the last three years but is concerned that market uncertainties may impact projects in the future.

“Many of the solar farms we’re constructing today have been in the works for a year or two,” Kosto says. “For the industry to continue to grow, there needs to be stability in its future, and that means being able to keep costs in check. Our process and the equipment we use has helped us operate lean and efficiently, but material pricing could impact solar energy production costs soon, which could reduce solar energy as being as successful as it is today for energy companies.”

Kayla Breja is the senior product marketing specialist – Utility & Productivity Tools for Vermeer Corp.

-- Solar Builder magazine

In response to the housing crisis of 2008, Quickscrews launched its first ever non-woodworking division: SolarRoofHook. Its team helped lead the charge to build a new market in solar residential mounting hardware.

In 2012, the company received a patent for its QuickBOLT, securing ownership of the technology. Seven years later, it has gained acceptance in the industry and become one of the fastest growing solar mounting products in the nation. The QuickBOLT is installed without lifting shingles and features the innovative Microflashing technology. You can read all about it in our Residential Rooftop Report from last year.

Another update is now in store as Quickscrews International Corporation announced it is changing the name of it Solar Division from SolarRoofHook to QuickBOLT.

“We will still be providing the superior service and quality products that you’re accustomed to and we are committed to making solar more affordable for all,” the company stated.

Check out its new website: www.quickbolt.com

-- Solar Builder magazine

Standard Industries, the world’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer launched a new company to meet the growing demand for rooftop solar. This new company, GAF Energy, will drive scalable adoption of integrated and affordable rooftop solar solutions across GAF’s established distribution network. Customers will benefit from a streamlined, turnkey approach to going solar when selecting GAF Energy, from planning and financing, to installation and permitting with utilities.

“As the largest global player in roofing and waterproofing, we will reshape the way clean solar energy becomes a reality for everyone,” said David Millstone, co-CEO of Standard Industries. “We believe that roofing is real estate and we see a future with energy from every roof. GAF Energy’s offerings will empower people to put their roofs to work with technology that is attractive, accessible and affordable.”

GAF Energy empowers roofing contractors across the U.S. with a comprehensive and economical approach to solar installations, bypassing the high-cost of customer acquisition most pure solar technology companies face today. With dedicated support teams and training for project management, design, permitting and installation of GAF Energy’s integrated solar roofs, local and regional contractors can effectively grow their businesses while meeting demand for more clean and sustainable sources of energy.

“We are best positioned to accelerate the growth of residential solar with over a century of waterproofing experience and the largest network of roofing distributors and contractors in the world. Our team is in the kitchen with the homeowner at the moment a new roof is required: the most perfect time to provide the opportunity to go green. We couldn’t be more excited to have Martin DeBono and a world class team lead the evolution of rooftop solar for years to come,” said David Winter, co-CEO of Standard Industries.

“GAF Energy capitalizes on the historic challenges facing the rooftop solar industry – acquisition and installation costs – and turns them into demonstrable strengths – making it easy for customers to say ‘yes’ to solar rooftops,” said Martin DeBono, President of GAF Energy. “Our product is smart, integrated and economical, and we hope it will mark a fundamental shift in rooftop solar adoption around the world.”

-- Solar Builder magazine

The 3 In 1 Roof solar integrated roofing system is reaming with SunSpark Technology Inc. as their module manufacturer for all introductory sales and installations.

Although their name is new in North America, it’s not new to the solar industry. SunSpark’s parent company Yiheng Science & Technology Ltd. is based out of Qinhuangdao, China, and has been in the solar panel manufacturing equipment business for more than 20 years. SunSpark’s CEO Sunny Zhang is a business woman with deep roots in the solar industry since the early 1980s.

Both companies will work in tandem to produce up to 3-MW of integrated solar roofs throughout 2019 and up to 280 MW by year ending 2024. The two companies plan on creating hundreds of direct USA and Canada manufacturing jobs.

What is the 3 In 1 Roof?

3 IN 1 ROOF systems retro-fit any residential or commercial slope roof top regardless of the structure’s load bearing capacity. Couple that fact with Class-AA fire rating (self-extinguishing), Class-AA wind rating (200+ mph resistance), Class-AA impact rating (spot-repetitive strike protection), Class-AA solar-gains (zero heat transference into attic area), lifetime roof-tile warrantee, 30-year solar cell warrantee, technology agnostic removable and upgradable solar modules. The 3 In 1 Roof is making a play to be the most efficient, easy-to-install residential solar system design.

Installations for 2019 are no longer available, but new USA and Canada orders will be assigned to 2020.

-- Solar Builder magazine

The Skylift is a new mounting product designed for attaching to an existing roof, grounding one end of the patio while elevating the ceiling and solar array.

Solar-covered patios are a niche product worth exploring as part of your solar business. The first step in pursuing these projects is knowing they aren’t for everyone. Many solar customers are interested in cost per watt, so pitching an addition that comes in around $7 per watt will stop conversations. This doesn’t mean it’s a dead end, just that they require a different sales and marketing approach and locating the right, easy-to-install solution.

What’s the market?

Andrew Read at Voltage River had high hopes for pursuing solar patios out in southern California, considering the high-income customer base and year-round outdoor living in the area, but he found that traditional advertising didn’t get the return he needed.

“Finding customers for this is not easy,” Read says. “I wanted it to be bigger than it is, and I did push it for a bit but have backed off trying to market it.”

Instead, he lets most of the business come to him via referrals from a cadre of high-end architects and builders. Approaching the market this way has been a success.

“We sell them for a high price because of what they are: a statement piece. Anyone looking to get out from under an electric bill, it’s not the system for them,” he says.

Region matters here more than in the standard residential PV business. John Hunter at Florida-based Premium Solar Patios, for example, is a bit more bullish on the current market for the solar patio, calling it “astounding.”

“We have seen a major influx of interest from your average homeowner to track homebuilders,” he says. “Today we are fulfilling orders from dealers around the country as well as installing sales from our inside sales teams.”

One angle that has worked for Hunter is in HOA developments that make it difficult for homeowners to go solar. The solar patios they install are often a way around HOA rooftop aesthetic issues. They also can be placed anywhere on a property to get the best direct sunlight if the home is shaded.

But a word of warning: You think regular solar permitting is annoying, try coordinating between one person for the patio itself and then another person for the solar portion.

“It can land on a desk of someone used to seeing one thing, they don’t know what to do with it and then you get stuck in the washing machine of bureaucracy,” Read says, noting it took him six months to get one project through in Laguna Beach.

Construction

Once you are ready to pursue solar patios, the question is whether you want to also get into the patio construction business and offer a turnkey solution or just handle the solar piece and contract out the rest.

“The people good at doing this are the same that build regular patio covers because it’s an extension of what they do,” Read says. “From my experience, solar guys get hung up on patio covers. The patio cover structure guys can build that pretty easily, and then I can bring in a contractor just to wire up the panels and get it plugged into the main circuit.”

Premiums Solar says a solar patio installation, in most cases with an experienced crew, will take three days, due to the concrete drying time and footer/house attachment inspections where required. Vince McClellan with Solar Energy Design calculates a typical job takes about a third longer than mounting the array on the roof.

“After the structure is up, our Solar Rainframe system installs in about the same time as a typical solar array mounted on a roof,” McClellan says. He notes the market for solar patios is just starting. His company’s Solar Rainframe racking system (originally designed for parking structures) creates a water shedding roof using standard framed solar electric modules — a design built with 10 years of experience designing and building BIPV canopies. It uses no seals or gaskets and creates a weatherized roof out of standard solar modules, meaning there is no need for a separate roof under the solar array because the solar array is the roof.

That’s the other thing: Each solar installer we talked to had developed and settled on their own structural and design approach for the solar + patio.

“I’ve been toiling along with different solutions and finally found something that works. Hasn’t come from a simple stroll down the aisle at Wal-Mart,” Read says. “This solution literally took years of futzing around and figuring out because these are elegant systems and not designed to be cheap.”

“With our awnings, the wire is hidden behind wireways that are a part of the system,” McClellan says. “The extruded aluminum rails of the Solar Rainframe product can span about 20 ft with only two points of contact. This creates an uncluttered look underneath the awning because there is no need for additional beams supporting the solar array.

Premium Solar uses its standard reinforced aluminum 3 in. x 8 in. support beam, which makes it an easy fit and retains the style of their other solar patios. Wire management is also key here. Be sure to select conduit or other solutions that will keep the wiring out of view.

“We have a more commercial system in appearance that is a lower cost option to our Premium Solar Patio. Each option can be customized for the application the customer desires,” Hunter says. “Due to it being a more complex project, it does come with an added cost versus a rooftop, but we have come to find markets that sell rooftop for what the patios retail for in the majority of markets.”

Key to each of these unique designs was the Skylift, a new mounting product specifically designed for attaching to an existing roof and grounding one end of the patio while elevating the ceiling and the array. This makes it easy to retrofit a patio cover onto an existing building and attaching the solar while saving money on installing the footers and posts on that side. It also solves issues with eaves in some cases being too low to allow for the attachment of a solar patio along with the need to slope for water runoff. The Skylift allows for the needed height.

“We would have many patios that could not be installed in many cases due to a pool,” Hunter notes as an example. “Depending on where you are in the country, the requirements to offset from a pool wall would be damning to a project. The Skylift provided the solution that allowed us to back further away from the pool and get these special cases permitted.”

“Another great option for building integrated solar roofs using our Solar Rainframe system is using clear backed or bifacial solar modules that let the light shine through between the solar cells,” McClellan says. “It creates a stunning architectural detail for porches, patios, covered walkways, entryways, etc. Coupled with the Skyjack system it’s a great way to add beauty to a home or business while making clean renewable power.

Pairing the right system design with the right sales and marketing plan (and sales expectations), solar patios could develop into a nice side business.

-- Solar Builder magazine